parkgate

The tree surgeon has made another visit - and will be able to remove the tree with difficulty by cutting it in small sections and then passing it down to his assistants - the job is going to cost more than expected.It is likely the surrounding flower beds will be trampled but they can be replanted in time. If this could not be done then a court order would have been my only option. Thank you for your help much appreciated.

Thank You. The Tree is in our back garden the entrance to which is about 4ft wide, the MEWP would have to stretch about 50m from the drive through the 4 ft gap to the tree. I will ask the tree surgeon – I have no idea how much it costs to hire a MEWP!

Good Evening, We have an old Portuguese Laurel Tree in our garden ,owned by us ,next to the border with our neighbour. The tree is diseased and very rotten at the base.The tree surgeon has said it is unsafe. It is situated on a steep sloping bank on our side ,but the neighbours side is flat and the tree surgeon is if the opinion that it makes far more sense to remove it from their land at least the overhanging branches. However they will not give us permission to enter their property so the job will have to be done from our side - where there is more risk to the tree surgeon ,our house and our neighbours house. In the case of an accident ,for example ,a tree limb falls and damages our neighbours property because of the precarious position of the tree - who is liable for this? Can we compel our neighbour to allow access for safety reasons? Kind Regards, Comments appreciated.

Dumper, Thank you. Very helpful advice. I have tried the TPO route - but the tree officer from the council said it had to be a statement tree not an ornamental garden tree for him the recommend a TPO. Regards,

devon TWiG, Thank you for your prompt and clear reply. It is a pity that they have the right to cut the tree as it will completely destroy the shape - I think the tree is about 70 years old. We also have a few bushes on our side with small upright branches on our side, but in high winds they may lean over to their side - are they allowed to cut them? - seems very petty to me - but they claim they have the right to do this. Regards,

Just an update on this - I hired a professional Plantsman to take a look at the trees. His verdict was too much nitrogen applied in their first year - the roots cannot keep up with the leaves. He recommended bonemeal and composted bark around the base of each tree and to lay off the feediing until next spring. He pruned the trees and they are looking a lot better.

We have a beautiful Holm Oak Tree in our garden and it is a nice shape and healthy. Our neighbours want us to cut any branches growing over the boundary wall - they are about a foot in diameter and have been there for many years. They are not a danger. This will effectively cut the tree in half and spoil the shape completely. 1) Who is responsible for the cost of cutting the branches and 2) do we have to do it in the first place? - as it effectively damages the tree. Thank you for your help, Kind Regards,

Sorry meant Rose Clear.

I have consulted a tree surgeon and has recommended that I spray with a combined fungicide / pesticide spray (as there are also signs of aphids) and visit a garden centre for their advice on what product to use. Do you think “Top Rose, 3 in 1” would do the job?

Peasgood, Thank You. Is it better to remove the infected leaves to encourage new growth? Regards,

Thank you for your replies. Do the affected leaves need to be cut out and destroyed (there are many of them), or with spraying, are the leaves likely to recover? Is the disease “life threatening” to the plant. and do you recommend I bring in a specialist to undertake the spraying? Regards,

The Laurel Hedge that I planted in February of this year (trees 5 -6 ft in height) is now showing signs of withering leaves with a white powdery substance on the leaf underside, and I believe this to be powdery mildew - unless anybody has a different opinion. This is a shame as the hedge was looking magnificent and has sprouted healthy growth throughout summer. I think the situation is becoming worse. I wonder what is causing this, and if it is a serious condition, and more importantly what the remedy is. Admittedly, the trees were planted quite close together to create a privacy screen. I have watered the trees at ground level throughout the hot dry summer, via a soaker hose, and they have been fed Miracle Gro every 2-3 weeks. We are quite alarmed by this situation and don’t want to lose the hedge. Do I need to call in a specialist? Please see photographs attached. Thank You and Kind Regards.

Thanks - I have sprinkled bonemeal and Growmore around the base - and also applied a nematode solution. They have had a few can fulls of Miracle Gro in the past.

Mick, Thank you for your prompt reply - do you think the withered leaves signify anything? Regards,

All the Laurel Trees have put on a significant spurt of growth - apart from one where the leaves seem to be curling. Also some of the new sprouts started off well on this tree - but now seem to be stunted. The tree also has a number of yellow leaves that fall off easily. Any advice in help to identify the problem would be appreciated. Kind Regards,

I have 10ft hedge on my land, but my neighbours would like the height to be reduced by 3 to 5 ft as it restricts their view. I have consulted a chartered surveyor who has confirmed that the hedge is not caught by the High Hedges act. Nevertheless, my neighbour informs me that he intends to lower the hedge without my permission and use the services of a local Tree Surgeon “qualified to undertake chain saw work”. I don’t know which Tree Surgeon he intends to use. I think I understand where I stand legally with my neighbour on this, but do I have any action against the Tree Surgeon: - a) if they just turn up and cut the hedge when I am out b) or they turn up and proceed to cut the hedge after I have informed them, they do not have my permission as it is on my land. Kind Regards,

What a great hedge - I am jealous! - a lot of hard work no doubt - do you feed it? Regards,

Mick, A further question - some of the bushes (8 ft) were planted about 10 weeks ago. Would you expect them to start sprouting soon, or do I need to be more patient? Regards,

Thank You. It is just that most laurel hedges in the area are sprouting.

I have a laurel hedge planted 4 years ago and is about 6 ft high. However I would have expected it to start sprouting with new growth by now (10th April) but nothing at the moment. Is this unusual? Thank You and Kind Regards,

Dumper, Thank You for your sensible suggestion.Much appreciated. We intend to act in your advice - and I will ask the tree supplier to pay for the nematodes - we are fertilising with Miracle Grow. Regards

Thank You. It took nearly a day to plant them - and I had to pay the gardener - I would then have to pay him to dig them up - i.e. another day and then a further day to plant the replacements. Is there a cheaper solution? Regards,

We have just planted a 20 ft strip of hedge using cherry laurel trees purchased in 35 L pots. The approximate height of each tree is 2.25 m, but the landscape Gardener who did the planting has warned us that the roots contain Vine Weevil larvae, and has advised they need to be treated with an appropriate Vine Weevil killer. We purchased “Bug Clear Ultra Vine Weevil Killer” but have since researched the subject and note on the RHS website that “this product cannot be used to treat edible plants or ornamental plants growing in the ground” but should be used for plants growing in containers only - so we intend to return it. The supplier of the trees has advised us to purchase nematodes, but reading the literature on this, it is apparent they have to be introduced into the soil when it is relatively warm certainly above 5 degrees the ground is certainly too cold at the moment. A picture of one of the larvae is attached. Advice on how to deal with this problem would be appreciated.

Thank You. If I plant Cherry Laurel or Bay Laurel which is the fastest grower? Regards,

I have just had a landscape gardener down to quote for some structural work in the garden. I mentioned the Laurel v Bamboo debate - he thinks the Laurel which he described as “very healthy” will outpace the Bamboo - he also recommended Bay Laurel - as this should grow faster than the Cherry Laurel. Looking online the Cherry Laurel is described as having the faster growth rate?